Kelly Skaarl, owner of ProLawn and Landscape in Greenville, did the hydro-seeding project and donated almost $10,000 toward the project in time and equipment use. — Daily News/Kelli Ameling

EUREKA TOWNSHIP — Although summer weather has caused a slight setback to the Greenville Community Church Athletic Field development, the church is still planning to start opening its facility in 2013.

A search for practice fields for a local sports organization turned into constructing a 10-acre athletic facility for the entire Greenville community to use.

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is teaming up with Greenville Community Church to build an athletic facility that will include soccer fields, baseball fields, a skate park and more.

“In the last two years, we’ve seen an expansion to our league requiring us to acquire new softball fields to play at,” said Chuck Elliot, project coordinator, noting that in 2011 the project became a reality.

With construction beginning this past summer, Elliot said things are underway to start opening the facility next year.

However, drought did cause a delay in the project.

“We are about four months behind because of the drought,” Elliot said. “But we still plan to open the softball fields in 2013.”

In 2013, the facility is set to add a well and irrigation system, horseshoe pit, bocce court, concession stand, fencing for softball fields, bleachers and possibly a beach volleyball court.

In 2014, the facility is set to include picnic tables, playground equipment and a pavillion.

By 2015, the plan is to have a parking lot added to the north, an exercise-fitness trail and a scoreboard.

“We have planned for the athletic fields to be officially opened with the fall of 2013 AYSO soccer season, with the full park being available in the spring of 2014,” Elliot said. “We feel we need to give the new grass one year to stabilize and thicken up before heavy play takes place on it.”

According to Thomas Faussett, Eureka Township zoning and code enforcer, Elliot has been working closely with the township to make sure everything goes smoothly.

“(Elliot) came to the planning commission and presented the plans for the facility,” Faussett said.

The main concern Faussett referred to was privacy issues., which he said Elliot has been working with them to ensure there is additional tree coverage.

He noted some questions were rose about night lighting, however, there are no plans as of now for the fields to be lit at night. If in the future there are plans to add lighting, Elliot will be working with the neighbors again.

“I think the facility is good for the township,” Faussett said of the project. “Additional recreation activities for residents is goof for the community.”

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A search for practice fields for a local sports organization turned into constructing a 10-acre athletic facility for the entire Greenville community to use. The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is teaming up with Greenville Community Church (GCC) to build an athletic facility that will include soccer fields, baseball fields, a skate park and more.

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